For anyone who is wondering about the basics of walking on the straight and narrow road of Christianity, this verse is an excellent starting point. Paul’s succinct explanation for how to get through this life with joy, patience, and faithfulness is the beginning of growing the fruits of the Spirit.
Life is full of trials and tribulations. People often find themselves beaten down by circumstances. Even Christians fall into the state of grumbling, struggling, and sometimes even despairing because of the state of things. But one of the unique aspects of the Christian life is that believers can rise above their circumstances to focus on greater, eternal things and have a spirit of joy.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This encouragement is part of his edification of the church in Rome, and to believers who would go on to read this letter for centuries to come.
Believers have put their faith in things which are eternal, so the problems of this world are temporary; Christian endurance is rewarded with an eternity in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ, and with other eternal blessings. This verse reminds Christians of the keys to overcoming the problems of this fallen world and this mortal life, by focusing on the future, on what matters most, and on God.
What Does This Verse Mean?
While the Book of Romans has many deep and sometimes difficult or even controversial ideas in it, this verse is beautifully simple. It has three virtues which are crucial to someone who has become a Christian. They allow that individual to become more like Jesus through sanctification, and will help them pass through everything they endure in this world.
This world is full of sin which seems increasingly evil and never-ending, but the Christian lives in hope. Jesus Christ overcame all the sin of the world, and has promised to return for His church, to rule and reign for a thousand years, and ultimately to create a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more suffering. Christians hope for this time, knowing it will come, but having to wait for it. Paul encourages believers to have joy because they should be walking in hope. No matter how hard or dark their present circumstances, there is relief coming.
Affliction is a part of living under the oppression of a fallen world. Affliction is anything that causes pain or suffering. Sometimes it comes from other people, from nature through disease or disaster, or from sheer circumstance. Everyone experiences it, but not everyone has that hope that something better is guaranteed on the other side. Even other religions that claim to offer eternal rest for those who obey their codes do not offer guaranteed rest. Only Jesus offers true peace. Because He bought that peace and salvation with His blood, the believer can be patient through their afflictions. It is passing, and going through it with the patience of Jesus – which is available to anyone who calls on His name through the power of the Holy Spirit – can be overcome. Patience doesn’t come easy, and often it is refined through trials and afflictions.
Constancy is a word that has fallen out of fashion over the course of the 20th century. Faithful is a good synonym, and it is used in many translations of this verse. Prayer is the way that anyone can go to God directly and speak to Him. It is a way to worship Him, to thank Him, and to go to Him with questions, needs, and wants. It is the most immediate way to build a relationship with Him. Being faithful, constant, and consistent in prayer will help believers be closer to God. They will feel the presence and power of the Holy Spirit more, and will be able to exercise joy, hope, and patience to a greater degree than they could on their own. Most importantly, that relationship with God will be strengthened daily.
What Is the Context of Romans 12?
This epistle was written by the Apostle Paul sometime between 55 and 60 AD to the growing church in the city of Rome. This location was the center of the world at the time, and people were coming to believe the rabbi Jesus in the Palestinian desert was the Messiah. As this church grew, both Jews and Gentiles would congregate together. They had many questions and were experiencing persecution in Rome. Judaism was tolerated, but Christianity was illegal. In his letter, Paul clarified key theological concepts, assured the Jewish members of the church that God had not forgotten them as people, and gave them advice for how to live and pursue their walk with God.
In the section of the letter commonly divided into Romans 12, Paul mostly addressed the way Christians should conduct themselves as they navigate the world around them, and how to act as one integrated church body.
Some other key verses from this chapter include:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:4-7).
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:14-15).
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Why Should Christians Be Patient in Affliction?
Perhaps the most difficult of these instructions to follow is to be patient in affliction. People have a hard time waiting in expectation for good things, never mind the immense difficulty in having to sit through a situation that is painful, unjust, or complicated. Sometimes there is a guarantee that the affliction will not end in one’s lifetime, such as a painful chronic condition. Other circumstances can include persecution, financial hardship, homelessness, false accusations, isolation, having to rebuild life after a disaster, and so much more.
All pain and suffering is a byproduct of sin, and so is the tendency to be impatient. The instinct of the flesh is often fight, flight, or surrender. But the flesh is not what should rule the Christian, as they are no longer spiritually dead. The Holy Spirit indwells them, guiding and sanctifying. Being patient through affliction can do any number of things based on the circumstances:
1. It can give God time to work through the circumstances in His timing and for His ultimate glory. (1 Peter 4:11)
2. It can be a part of the process of sanctification, making someone more like Jesus and bringing them closer to God. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
3. It can allow someone to have a testimony through persecution or difficulties so other people can come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. (2 Timothy 1:3-14)
4. It can spare them the consequences of foolish, hasty, or sinful decisions made in an effort to end or escape the affliction. (Psalm 34:17-20)
These are just a few of the ways being patient and relying on God for deliverance in affliction is a part of God’s plan for Christians. It does not mean Christians should sit passively in suffering and do nothing. Someone should see a doctor, pursue legal paths, challenge an unfair circumstance, and do things within the scope of God’s blessing when appropriate, but they should always do it after a lot of prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit. They should also never be willing to sin in order to change their circumstances, which is where patience is the most beneficial.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The ultimate example of patience in affliction is Jesus Christ, who suffered the affliction, humiliation, and persecution of the cross and of bearing the sins of the world. He did all that so all people would have a chance to repent of their sins and have them permanently washed away, and so His Father’s will would be done. If Jesus could humble Himself to patiently endure His trial, crucifixion, and the turning away of the Father’s face, then believers can also patiently endure trials too, since the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to have a Christ-like nature.
How Does This Verse Encourage Us in Our Walk Today?
For anyone who is wondering about the basics of walking on the straight and narrow road of Christianity, this verse is an excellent starting point. Paul’s succinct explanation for how to get through this life with joy, patience, and faithfulness is the beginning of growing the fruits of the Spirit.
No one will perfectly live out these instructions, as humans will always be fighting their sin nature while they live in a corrupted body that wants to sin. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can have a part in Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and live out joy in hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer, enduring to the end.
Sources
Moo, Douglas. Encountering the Book of Romans A Theological Survey. Ada: Baker Publishing Group, 2014.
Sproul, R.C. St. Andrews Expositional Commentary Romans. Wheaton: Crossway, 2009.
Swindoll, Charles. Living Insights New Testament Commentary Romans. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2016.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Doidam10
Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.
